1Formulas and methods
Biology for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Name the topic of the question: cell parts, transport, division, DNA and protein synthesis, inheritance, biomolecules, microorganisms or experimental design.
- Recall the key rule: A–T and G–C, diffusion from high to low, water moves towards more solute, mitosis keeps and meiosis halves the chromosome number.
- For crosses, write the parents’ genotypes, list the gametes and fill a Punnett square before counting.
- For experiments, label the independent, dependent and controlled variables, and ask whether the evidence supports or only suggests the conclusion.
- Check each option against the question asked, not just whether it is a true statement.
Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Identify what is given and asked: particles, a formula, a state change, a concentration, a pH or a mass.
- Use the periodic table: the atomic number gives protons, the group gives valence electrons and the usual ion charge.
- Balance equations with coefficients only, element by element, oxygen and hydrogen last.
- For amounts, go mass → moles → mole ratio → moles → mass, and for solutions use M = mol/L and C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
- Remember that pH is logarithmic: one unit is a factor of 10.
2Practice problems
1.Human anatomyMedium
Which part of the brainstem contains the main cardiovascular and respiratory centres?
- APons
- BCerebellum
- CMedulla oblongata
- DMidbrain
2.Human anatomyHard
Why does an inhaled foreign body more often lodge in the right main bronchus than the left?
- AThe right bronchus is narrower and more horizontal
- BThe right bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical
- CThe left bronchus is closed by the epiglottis
- DThe right lung has stronger airflow due to the heart's position
3.Human physiologyMedium
What is the main function of pulmonary surfactant?
- ATo carry oxygen across the alveolar wall
- BTo reduce surface tension in the alveoli
- CTo trap dust in the bronchi
- DTo kill bacteria in the airways
4.Human physiologyHard
A patient hyperventilating during a panic attack has tingling fingers. What would the arterial blood gas most likely show?
- ALow pH and high PaCO₂
- BLow pH and low bicarbonate
- CHigh pH and low PaCO₂
- DHigh pH and high bicarbonate
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What do the spindle fibres do during cell division?
- AThey make the new nuclear envelope
- BThey attach to chromosomes and move them to the poles
- CThey copy the DNA of each chromosome before the cell divides
- DThey digest the old cell membrane
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
After a meal, blood glucose rises. Which response brings it back to normal?
- AThe pancreas releases insulin, and cells take up glucose
- BThe pancreas releases glucagon, and the liver releases glucose
- CThe kidneys release insulin into the urine
- DThe liver stops storing glycogen and releases more glucose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which statement describes a strong acid?
- AIt is always highly concentrated
- BIt ionises completely in water
- CIt only partly releases hydrogen ions
- DIt has a pH above 7
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
A sealed bag of crisps (potato chips) packed at sea level looks puffed up when it is carried to a high mountain. Why?
- AMore gas is produced by the crisps at altitude
- BThe outside air pressure is lower, so the gas inside expands
- CThe bag becomes thinner and weaker at altitude
- DThe gas inside the bag is heated strongly by the mountain sunlight
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Medulla oblongata
Why this is the answer
The medulla oblongata contains the vital centres that regulate heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rhythm.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · The right bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical
Why this is the answer
The right main bronchus is wider, shorter and continues more directly in line with the trachea, so aspirated objects tend to fall into it.
B · The right bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical
3.Human physiology
Answer: B · To reduce surface tension in the alveoli
Why this is the answer
Surfactant, made by type II alveolar cells, lowers surface tension so alveoli do not collapse and the lungs are easier to inflate.
B · To reduce surface tension in the alveoli
4.Human physiology
Answer: C · High pH and low PaCO₂
Why this is the answer
Hyperventilation blows off CO₂ and causes acute respiratory alkalosis. Alkalosis increases calcium binding to albumin, lowering ionised calcium and causing tingling.
C · High pH and low PaCO₂
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · They attach to chromosomes and move them to the poles
Why this is the answer
Spindle fibres are microtubules that attach to the centromeres. They line chromosomes up at metaphase and then pull sister chromatids (or homologous chromosomes in meiosis I) to opposite poles.
B · They attach to chromosomes and move them to the poles
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · The pancreas releases insulin, and cells take up glucose
Why this is the answer
High glucose stimulates the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin helps cells take up glucose and the liver store it as glycogen, so blood glucose falls. Glucagon does the opposite when glucose is low.
A · The pancreas releases insulin, and cells take up glucose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · It ionises completely in water
Why this is the answer
A strong acid such as HCl ionises fully in water. A weak acid such as acetic acid ionises only partly. Strength is different from concentration.
B · It ionises completely in water
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The outside air pressure is lower, so the gas inside expands
Why this is the answer
The bag is flexible, so the gas inside expands until its pressure matches the lower outside pressure. Fewer collisions from the outside let the bag swell (Boyle's law).
B · The outside air pressure is lower, so the gas inside expands
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